Private funding for Brent Spence not likely soon

Feb. 26, 2013

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FRANKFORT — The chances have grown slimmer for the state legislature passing a bill this session to allow private companies to fund the $2.5 billion Brent Spence Bridge.

The bill won’t likely get out of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee this session, said Rep. Rick Rand, D-Bedford, chairman of the A&R committee.

“Probably not this session,” Rand said. “We may have a hearing on it, but I’ve not talked to the sponsor. That’s an important subject, but this late in the session, a bill that complex is not likely to move.”

Many in Northern Kentucky have opposed the bill fearing it may lead to tolls. The Northern Kentucky Chamber and a business coalition called Build Our New Bridge Now have lobbied for the legislation to allow a public-private partnership to fund the replacement and renovation of the Brent Spence Bridge.

No Northern Kentucky lawmaker has come forward to support the bill, but Lexington-area State Rep. Sannie Overly, D-Paris, introduced House Bill 456 to allow for private financing of public transportation projects. The bill doesn’t single out the Brent Spence Bridge.

The issue may be too involved for a short session, Rand said.

“I think there are complexities of deciding whether you’re going to have these public-private partnerships,” Rand said. “I know other states have done them. As far as I know, we haven’t had a debate on that issue, at least in this committee. I think that needs to occur before we take action on it.”

Libby Korosec with the Build Our New Bridge Now Coalition, in an emailed statement, said her group hasn’t given up on the legislation.

“We are optimistic that Kentucky legislators will capitalize on the opportunity to create jobs and bolster the economic development for Kentucky,” Korosec said.

“Thirty-three other states, including all of Kentucky’s border states, have the ability to build their roads and bridges through innovative ways such as public-private partnerships. We will continue to support those leaders that recognize Kentucky needs legislation like HB 456 to remain competitive, create jobs and save taxpayer dollars.”

State Rep. Arnold Simpson, D-Covington, suspects this issue will come up in later sessions. Simpson opposes private financing for the bridge and believes tolls would disproportionately impact Northern Kentuckians.

“I think it sets a bad precedent....I’m very satisfied it’s not moving forward,” Simpson said. “But we’re going to have to deal with this in future sessions. It’s not going to go away.”